Chelsea vs Palmeiras score predictions: Club World Cup triumph

Chelsea has booked its place in the FIFA Club World Cup final and spent a few days preparing for the match, the only thing left to do is play the match. A 1-0 win over Al Hilal in the semifinal saw the Blues advance to the coveted competition’s final stage on Wednesday. They now prepare to take on two-time reigning Copa Libertadores champion Palmeiras. The Brazilian side may be unknown to a lot of fans across the world, but make no mistake about it, the UEFA representatives are in for a scrappy bout on Saturday.

The Blues get a massive boost in three returnees. Thomas Tuchel has joined up with the squad in Abu Dhabi after spending the last few days in isolation in the English capital. Further, Edouard Mendy is back from AFCON duty with Senegal. Mason Mount looks fresh and fit to start the game, as well, after missing out on the last match—bar a 20′ cameo at the end—with a knock. These are three key pieces that Chelsea may have to call in if it is to lift the trophy at the end of the night. The Blues are in for a battle as they continue their quest to capture the title that has long eluded them. How will they do in the climax of their second Club World Cup journey?

Here is how The Pride of London team sees the contest playing out:

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 2-0 Chelsea

Chelsea went through to the final thanks to a lucky bounce off a scoffed clearance. The Blues will have to up their game in the final if they hope to leave with the Club World Cup. Chelsea has more than enough quality to beat Palmeiras, but it cannot afford to be complacent.

Mike Malley: 1-0 Chelsea

The Blues looked pretty terrible against Al Hilal in the CWC semifinal, so I don’t have a lot of confidence in the team performing well against a presumably better side in Palmeiras. On the one hand, Chelsea was able to create a few decent chances, but on the other, the forwards were—as usual—able to find the back of the net only once. There won’t be much room for error against the South American champion and a clean sheet will probably be required in order to secure the club’s third trophy under Tuchel’s leadership.

Barrett Rouen: 2-2 Draw (Chelsea wins on pens.)

What is the thing that the Blues are worst at? Maintaining their professionalism and dignity against smaller, determined teams who they have usually disrespectfully and incorrectly judged themselves to be better than. This is literally exactly that scenario. Our players apparently are needing to be told that this is a serious competition. The fact that this is a legitimate story being circulated is insane and exemplifies everything I hate about our squad.

Palmeiras have a huge traveling support group with it and they’re psyched, geared up and ready to go. They’re going to work hard and bring some Brazilian Samba to the occasion. Meanwhile, our boring steam engine will roll through the gears in the usual mind-numbing, monotonous fashion. Somehow we’ll win but I’m saying we win because that’s what I do. That said, our team’s attitude is so terrible that it is worth checking to see if they all have a pulse. We’re missing Tuchel, Bean Chilli and Reece James terribly.

Tan Yi Hao: 2-0 Chelsea

This will undeniably be a difficult game for the Blues. Nevertheless, this team, led by a captain on a mission to win it all, tends to step up when it matters most. Chelsea simply has to make its quality count and bring home the final missing piece of Roman Abramovich’s trophy collection.

Gabe Henderson: 2-1 Chelsea

I actually think Palmeiras takes a relatively early lead in this one. The pressure seems to be a lot for the Chelsea players right now, especially when coupled with their poor performances as of late. Abramovich’s attendance in Abu Dhabi won’t exactly put their minds at ease either. Nevertheless, the Blues showed they had a lot of fight in them on Wednesday and they’re usually at their best when their backs are against the wall. Cesar Azpilicueta simply won’t allow this team to leave the UAE without the last item on his to-do list in west London. The European champions roar back through Romelu Lukaku and Mount to break Brazilian hearts.

Kevin Peacock: 1-0 Chelsea

These games never quite live up to the hype. The Blues will win because they are simply winners. Lukaku with the only goal of the game—again.

What is your score prediction? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!